What You Need to Know About AT&T’s $450 T-Mobile Offer

AT&T announced today it will offer up to $450 to T-Mobile customers if they switch services. But that doesn’t mean you’ll walk out of the store with $450 cash. More information is available at AT&T’s website, but here’s how it works.

Do I have to be a T-Mobile customer?

Yes, the offer is only available to T-Mobile customers, likely because T-Mobile has been successful this year at stealing customers away from AT&T. The two carriers have compatible network technologies, meaning you can switch between them more easily and without necessarily having to buy a new phone. AT&T, however, will continue to give customers of any other carrier at least $100 to trade in an eligible smartphone that is less than three years old.

AT&T says it has been working on the promotion for a while, but it came out just days before T-Mobile was widely expected to offer a similar promotion.

What do I need to do in order to get $450?

T-Mobile customers switching to AT&T can get a gift card worth up to $250 for trading in their smartphone. It isn’t clear which smartphones will earn the full $250, but it’s likely just the newest smartphones that are completely undamaged that will receive the full amount.

The other $200 comes as a credit just from switching from T-Mobile.

Can I get a subsidized phone with this deal?

No. You have to bring your own phone, buy one at full price from AT&T or sign up for AT&T’s installment based phone purchase plan, known as AT&T Next.

Do I get the money right away?

Not all of it. The $200 credit is only given once customers have been in good billing standing for 90 days.

What can I use the gift card for?

You can use it toward AT&T products and services, or to pay your bill.